Who will fill Sandberg's shoes?

Can a high school football team lose its once-in-a-lifetime, award-winning quarterback and return with an even stronger offense in his absence?

The Hurricanes, including Josh Meyer pictured above, run spring practice drills at Manatee High in Bradenton. Meyer is competing against Chase Richardson and Brodrick Yancy for the quarterback job this season. STAFF PHOTO / ELAINE LITHERLAND

The answer to that question could prove to be “yes” this fall when it comes to the perennial powerhouse Manatee Hurricanes.

As graduating senior Cord Sandberg continues to weigh his options between becoming a college quarterback at Mississippi State, or beginning his professional baseball career as an outfielder (depending on his status in next month’s First-Year Player Draft), the Hurricanes are putting together another offensive juggernaut this spring.

Meyer, who will be a junior in the fall, was the starter on Manatee’s undefeated junior varsity team in 2012, while Richardson, a senior in 2013, spent most of last season backing up Sandberg.

The speedy Yancy falls into another category altogether. He caught 29 passes for 407 yards and five touchdowns last fall, and has already received Division I scholarship offers to continue his career at the next level as a wide receiver.

Yancy, who also ran for 151 yards and three scores last season, could wind up as a change-of-pace guy regardless of who wins the job.

“The three guys we have there are all pretty good athletes,” veteran Manatee coach Joe Kinnan said. “They all understand the offense. Hopefully, they are committed to football because they will have a great supporting cast.

“We won’t have another Class 7A Player of the Year next year like Cord was, but (the new quarterback) may have a better supporting cast.”

The Hurricanes have four starters returning on the offensive line with the exception of left tackle Thor Miller, who is bound for McNeese State.

Last year’s starting right guard, Mike Galati, will move to left tackle, while Kyle Mauk, Dylan Beauchamp and Jake Stickler resume their starting roles.

The fifth starter, Brooks Larkin, has also started and seen plenty of playing time in the past.

Along with Yancy, Kelvin McKnight and Marquel Hines, Manatee’s leading receiver last year, also return at wide receiver.

Manatee has a solid one-two punch at running back with returning starter Trevon Walters, who ran for 1,102 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and freshman sensation Johnnie Lang, who led the Manatee jayvee team before joining the varsity squad as the Hurricanes rolled into the playoffs, finishing with a 13-1 record after losing to eventual state champion St. Thomas Aquinas.

“The strength of our team is our offensive line and our skilled position players on offense,” Kinnan said.

Just one defensive lineman returns in DeMarcus Christmas, who has already verbally committed to Florida State. Graduating seniors Derrick Calloway (USF), Blake Keller (UCF) and Marquis Dawsey (Ferris State) are moving on to the next level.

“We’ve got some holes to fill,” Kinnan said. “You don’t really replace those guys, but we’ll have people step in, and hopefully, do well. We’ve got a lot of bodies that have been around.

“However, we may have some upgrades in other areas. We have a lot of guys competing at the linebacker position, and at the safety and corner positions.

“On defense, we have some talented athletes that lack experience. We have to give them the experience, but they have the ability to be really good players. We have a really good nucleus of young kids.”

Last modified: May 20, 2013
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